VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY WITH SEPARABLE AIR BAG GUIDE RETAINERS
In at least certain embodiments, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad, a trim cover extending over the seat pad and including a first and second end portion forming a release seam adjacent the seat pad, and an air bag assembly within the trim cover. In accordance with this embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an inflator and an air bag inflatable to project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover. Further in accordance with this embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly further includes an air bag guide including an inner panel and an outer panel associated with the air bag assembly, a first connector connected to the first and second end portions of the trim cover, and a second connector connected to outer panels.
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly, and in particular, a seat assembly including an air bag.
2. Background Art
Vehicles can be equipped with side air bags, which may be in the form of a side air curtain disposed in a headliner of the vehicle, or alternatively, may be an air bag disposed within a vehicle seat assembly. One limitation of air bags that are located within a seat assembly, is that the air bag needs to break through the seating material before it can fully deploy to protect a vehicle occupant. During deployment, such an air bag may encounter foam, or other seat pad materials, and must then break through a seat trim cover in order to escape from the seat assembly. Another limitation is that the air bag should break through the cover material at a predetermined location to optimize effectiveness.
Prior vehicle seat assemblies equipped with side air bags and manufacturing methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,816,610, 5,860,673, 5,938,232, 6,045,151, 6,237,934 and 6,588,838, for example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONUnder the invention, a vehicle seat assembly is provided. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad adjacent the frame, and a trim cover extending over the seat pad and including a first and second end portion forming a release seam adjacent the seat pad, and an air bag assembly mounted on the frame within the trim cover in a spaced relationship from its air bag release seam. In accordance with this embodiment, the air bag assembly includes an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover. Further in accordance with this embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly further includes an air bag guide including an inner panel and an outer panel that are each made of flexible material and have inner and outer extremities, with the inner and outer panels being associated with the air bag assembly, a first connector connected to the first and second end portions of the trim cover, and a second connector connected to the flexible inner and outer panels.
In at least one embodiment, the second connector separates upon inflation of the air bag causing the separation of the first connector which causes the separation of the release seam.
In yet another embodiment, the first connector comprises a base portion comprising a first leg connected to the first end portion of the trim cover and a second leg connected to the second end portion of the trim cover.
In at least another embodiment, the first connector is a unitary member further comprising a retainer portion for connection with the second connector and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the base portion and the retainer portion.
In still yet at least another embodiment, the first connector is made of rigid plastic and the frangible portion separates upon inflation of the air bag.
In still yet at least another embodiment, the second connector is made of rigid plastic and the second connector comprises a unitary member comprising an inner portion, an outer portion, and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the inner and outer portions, each of the inner and outer portions of the second connector connecting to a respective one of the outer extremities of the flexible inner and outer panels.
In yet at least another embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad adjacent the frame, and a trim cover extending over the seat pad that includes a first and a second end portion forming a release seam adjacent the seat pad. In this embodiment, the seat assembly further comprises an air bag assembly within the trim cover in a spaced relationship from its air bag release seam, with the air bag assembly including an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover. In this embodiment, the seat assembly also further comprises an air bag guide including an inner panel and an outer panel having inner and outer extremities, with the inner and outer panels being associated with the air bag assembly, a first connector extending between and connecting the first and second end portions of the trim cover, and a second connector extending between and connecting the inner and outer panels to each other, with the second connector extending between the first connector and the inner and outer panels.
In still yet at least another embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a frame, a seat pad mounted on the frame, a trim cover extending over the seat pad and including a first end portion and a second end portion cooperating to form a release seam adjacent the seat pad, and an air bag assembly mounted on the frame within the trim, with the air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag that is inflated by the inflator to project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover. In this embodiment, the seat assembly further comprises an air bag guide including a first panel and a second panel, with each panel having inner and outer extremities, and with the panels being associated with the air bag assembly. In this embodiment, the seat assembly still further comprises a first connector extending between and connecting the first and second end portions of the trim cover, with the first connector comprising a base portion comprising a first leg connected to the first end portion of the trim cover and a second leg connected to the second end portion of the trim cover, and a second connector extending between and connecting the first and second panels to each other, with the second connector extending between the first connector and the first and second panels, wherein the second connector separates upon inflation of the air bag causing the separation of the first connector which causes the separation of the release seam.
While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily of scale, some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for the claims and/or a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.
Moreover, except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description and in the claims indicating amounts of materials or conditions of reactions and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about” in describing the broader scope of this invention. Practice within the numerical limits stated is generally preferred. Also, unless expressly stated to the contrary, the description of a group or class of materials as suitable preferred for a given purpose in connection with the invention implies that mixtures of any two or more members of the group or class may be equally suitable or preferred.
In at least one embodiment, the seat pad 16 is made from a molded polymeric material, such as a polyurethane foam. The use of a polymeric foam material to construct the seat pad 16 can be cost effective and can provide the flexibility needed to easily change the shape of the seat pad for different types of seat assemblies. Of course, other types of polymeric materials may be molded to form the seat pad 16.
Disposed within the seat back 12 is an air bag assembly, such as a side air bag assembly 20. While the side air bag assembly 20 is shown on the seat back 12, which is a usage for which it has particular utility, it is also possible for the side air bag assembly to be utilized with a seat bottom even though the seat back usage is specifically disclosed. Also, as illustrated, the air bag assembly 20 is located at an outboard lateral side or extremity of the seat to provide protection against adjacent vehicle structure, but it is also possible to have the side air bag assembly located at the inboard lateral side to provide protection against an adjacent vehicle occupant and to also have side air bag assemblies at both outboard and inboard locations for protection in both lateral directions.
As shown in
Also shown in
The air bag assembly 20 is located within the trim cover 18 and may be conventionally mounted, such as on the frame 26, adjacent the air bag release seam 28 but in a spaced relationship from the release seam. The schematically illustrated folded air bag 22, upon deployment, is inflated by inflation fluid from the inflator 24 to unfold and project outwardly from the seat 10 through the air bag release seam 28 of the trim cover 18 (
With continuing reference to
The inner and outer panels 34, 36 of the air bag guide 32 respectively include inner extremities 42,44 that can be attached suitably to the housing 40 and/or frame 26 to effectively associate the air bag guide 32 with the housing 40 of the air bag assembly 20. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
In at least one embodiment, as shown in
As shown in the embodiment illustrated in
The inner retainer 64 includes a first arm portion 86, a second arm portion 88, and a frangible portion 90 extending therebetween. The first and second arm portions 86 and 88 each include a nose portion forming the engagement portion 84 and have end portions attached to a respective panel 34, 36 as shown in
The frangible portions 78 and 90 of the retainers 62 and 64 can be any suitable section formed to break or rupture first on their respective retainer 62, 64. For instance, the frangible portions 78 and 90 could be a reduced thickness, as is shown with respect to retainer 62 in
In at least one embodiment, the air bag guide 32 is effective to prohibit all contact between the deploying air bag 22 and the seat pad 16. This can help to prevent energy loss from the air bag 22 by decreasing friction and protecting the seat pad 16 from damage. This, in turn, can also help to reduce the deployment time for the air bag 22 and/or the amount of inflation fluid required to deploy the air bag.
In at least one embodiment, the inner and outer panels 34 and 36 of the air bag guide 32 form a deployment channel 38 for the air bag 22. As shown in
Upon deployment of the air bag assembly 20, as shown schematically in
As shown in
As shown in
In the embodiment shown in
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat pad adjacent the frame;
- a trim cover extending over the seat pad and including a first and a second end portion forming a release seam adjacent the seat pad;
- an air bag assembly mounted on the frame within the trim cover in a spaced relationship from its air bag release seam, the air bag assembly including an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover;
- an air bag guide including an inner panel and an outer panel that are each made of flexible material and have inner and outer extremities, the inner and outer panels being associated with the air bag assembly;
- a first connector connected to the first and second end portions of the trim cover; and
- a second connector connected to the flexible inner and outer panels.
2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the second connector separates upon inflation of the air bag, the separation of the second connector causing the separation of the first connector which causes the separation of the release seam.
3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises a base portion comprising a first leg connected to the first end portion of the trim cover and a second leg connected to the second end portion of the trim cover.
4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 3, wherein stitching connects the first connector to the first and second end portions of the trim cover, and wherein the first connector is a unitary member further comprising a retainer portion for connection with the second connector and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the base portion and the retainer portion.
5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the first connector is made of rigid plastic and the frangible portion separates upon inflation of the air bag.
6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 5, wherein the second connector is made of rigid plastic and the second connector comprises a unitary member comprising an inner portion, an outer portion, and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the inner and outer portions, each of the inner and outer portions of the second connector connecting to a respective one of the outer extremities of the flexible inner and outer panels.
7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector has a base portion including a frangible portion and two depending legs having engagement portions on opposed sides of the frangible portion, and the second connector has two housing portions, with each of the housing portions engageable with a respective leg.
8. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat pad adjacent the frame;
- a trim cover extending over the seat pad and including a first and a second end portion forming a release seam adjacent the seat pad;
- an air bag assembly within the trim cover in a spaced relationship from its air bag release seam, the air bag assembly including an inflator and a folded air bag that is inflated by the inflator to unfold and project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover;
- an air bag guide including an inner panel and an outer panel having inner and outer extremities, the inner and outer panels being associated with the air bag assembly;
- a first connector extending between and connecting the first and second end portions of the trim cover; and
- a second connector extending between and connecting the inner and outer panels to each other, the second connector extending between the first connector and the inner and outer panels.
9. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 8, wherein the second connector separates upon inflation of the air bag, the separation of the second connector causing the separation of the first connector which causes the separation of the release seam.
10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the first connector comprises a base portion comprising a first leg connected to the first end portion of the trim cover and a second leg connected to the second end portion of the trim cover.
11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 10, wherein stitching connects the first connector to the first and second end portions of the trim cover.
12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 10, wherein the first connector is a unitary member further comprising a retainer portion for connection with the second connector and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the base portion and the retainer portion.
13. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 12, wherein the frangible portion separates upon inflation of the air bag.
14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13, wherein the second connector comprises a unitary member comprising an inner portion, an outer portion, and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the inner and outer portions, each of the inner and outer portions of the second connector connecting to a respective one of the outer extremities of the flexible inner and outer panels.
15. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second connectors are made of rigid plastic.
16. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:
- a frame;
- a seat pad mounted on the frame;
- a trim cover extending over the seat pad, the seat pad including a first end portion and a second end portion cooperating to form a release seam adjacent the seat pad;
- an air bag assembly mounted on the frame within the trim, the air bag assembly including an inflator and an air bag that is inflated by the inflator to project outwardly from the seat through the air bag release seam of the trim cover;
- an air bag guide including a first panel and a second panel, each panel having inner and outer extremities, the panels being associated with the air bag assembly;
- a first connector extending between and connecting the first and second end portions of the trim cover, the first connector comprising a base portion comprising a first leg connected to the first end portion of the trim cover and a second leg connected to the second end portion of the trim cover; and
- a second connector extending between and connecting the first and second panels to each other, the second connector extending between the first connector and the first and second panels, wherein the second connector separates upon inflation of the air bag, the separation of the second connector causing the separation of the first connector which causes the separation of the release seam.
17. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 16, wherein stitching connects the first connector to the first and second end portions of the trim cover.
18. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 17, wherein the first connector is a unitary member further comprising a retainer portion for connection with the second connector and a frangible portion extending between connecting the base portion and the retainer portion, wherein the frangible portion separates upon inflation of the air bag.
19. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the first and second connectors are made of rigid plastic.
20. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 19, wherein the second connector comprises a unitary member comprising an inner portion, an outer portion, and a frangible portion extending between and connecting the inner and outer portions, each of the inner and outer portions of the second connector connecting to a respective one of the outer extremities of the first and second panels.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 1, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 1, 2006
Patent Grant number: 7322597
Applicant: Lear Corporation (Southfield, MI)
Inventor: Michael Tracht (Ingolstadt)
Application Number: 10/904,836
International Classification: B60R 21/16 (20060101); B60R 21/22 (20060101);